BEING on the job hunt for nearly two years is a pretty endless slog. Sending out hundreds of CVs per week, never hearing anything back. It's demoralising. Add on top of that a diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome and you have a fairly miserable and confusing time in the ranks of the unemployed.

This was the case for my own brother, Matthew. Having left school with a handful of Intermediate 1 and 2 exams - thanks to the sheer determination of family, not because of the school - he was at a complete loss as to what to do. Having been neglected by teachers who did not understand his additional needs, he was not put on any path to a career, apprenticeship or further education.

A couple of office jobs did not work out, thanks to less than understanding employers, and Matthew quickly found himself struggling with the constant process of sending out CVs, filling in lengthy application forms and getting nowhere.

And, as if interviews aren't nerve-wracking enough, imagine attempting one with a disorder that prevents you from picking up on social cues. People with Asperger's are often incredibly bright individuals but struggle to either express this or pick up on other's body language or words. Even sarcasm can be difficult to grasp.

"It was very frustrating and difficult. I wanted to give up sending out my CV," he said. "I thought having Asperger's was one of the reasons I wasn't getting jobs. It makes interviews kind of difficult."

Seeing my once buoyant and mischievous brother become down and withdrawn was incredibly difficult. All of the family rallied around him, reassuring him that the job market was difficult for everyone, not just him. I also told him that, after leaving university, I sent out hundreds of job applications to no avail. We promised him that he would find his place.

Because that was really what it boiled down to. Matthew was 19 years old. And, like most young people, he just wanted to be earning some money to enjoy socialising and holidays. Seeing the rest of the family head out to work each morning was another blow to his confidence. He was desperate to have a job and savings and a future. He wasn't different in that respect.

Having reluctantly decided to sign on at the job centre, Matthew was soon advised to get in touch with The Prince's Trust.

The Prince's Trust youth ambassadors mark 40 years of the charity (Image: Sandy Young Photography)

"My advisor Sandra told me to phone them to get help. I had my first appointment with them at the end of January. I was assigned to a woman called Natalie. She was really nice. Everyone there is very kind and very friendly.

"It was very different to school. I never felt like the teachers had any time for me."

Within a few short months of joining The Prince's Trust, Matthew was getting interview practise, job skills workshops and taking part in recruitment programmes for the likes of Marks & Spencer. Although he did not get a job with the retail giants, he was quickly put on to another course for Tesco.

This time, he had success.

Matthew proudly dons his Tesco uniform (Image: Mary Palmer)

Matthew is now an incredibly happy employee of Tesco Silverburn. And what a difference there is in this young man. He is keen to get to work, thrilled to put on his uniform each day, and generally just full of a brand new level of self-assurance. He knows the aisles that he works on inside out and is so happy to be there. He has a real pride in his section.

"The Prince's Trust have definitely given me my confidence back," he said, "I am busy now; on my feet and meeting people. It's much better than being stuck at home all day."

He's even been awarded a Public Speaking certificate from the Trust, as well as a Get Into Retail Award. He's also been on TV as part of the charity's fortieth birthday #partofPT tour across Scotland.

Matthew cuts the Trust's 40th birthday cake on STV Live at 5 (Image: Sandy Young Photography)

His proudest moment came in April, however, when he was chosen to be a Young Ambassador. I still remember the breathless phone call he made when he broke the news to me. I could practically feel his smile through the phone.

An even more thrilling step on this journey to employment happened just yesterday, when Matthew was chosen to be one of the young people meeting Prince Charles as he toured the new Wolfson Centre building, where the Trust is based.

"Meeting Prince Charles was very nerve-wracking but a great experience. I am so proud I was allowed to take part," he says.

I can honestly say that The Prince's Trust have turned my brother's life around where schools, employers and job centres were failing. The young man at the start of this job hunt compared to the person we see now are two different people.

"I would definitely tell other young people to get involved," he said of the Trust, "I have made friends, met a lot of nice people and, most importantly, I have a job now."

With 1 in 4 young people facing unemployment in Glasgow, the future jobs market is facing a crisis on two fronts: lack of ambitious and creative young minds in the workplace, and a generation without confidence in their own abilities.

The Prince's Trust help identify a young person's strong points and plant them firmly on the path to achieving their goals. Why isn't there more centres like this and more help for young people, especially those with learning difficulties or disabilities? This sort of focus is simply not there in schools or job centres.

Matthew now has a promising future ahead of him - I'm almost certain he's aiming to be shop manager within the few short months that he's been there.